Chapter 6 "Sis, aren't you tired of this?" I thought. "I've got things to do. See you." I adjusted my shoulder bag and headed toward the apartment. One of the guys on a motorcycle leaned closer to Leila and asked, "Leila, who's she?" "Who else? My dumb parents' precious daughter.," Leila replied nonchalantly. The guy let out a low whistle. "You shouldn't talk about Mr. and Mrs. Lowe like that. "Whatever," Leila scoffed, turning her bike around and speeding off. It was clear she had no respect for Mom and Dad. Maybe she didn't even love them. I smiled to myself. "Mom, Dad-you're the ones I pity the most." During the summer break of my first year of high school, I went back home. But the house was empty. 11 The housekeeper, who was cleaning the pool, told me that my parents and Leila had left for a beach vacation. "They left yesterday," she said, looking puzzled. "Didn't they tell you?" I didn't respond. I simply left. Halfway down the road, my mom sent me a text. "Carol, we're heading to the beach for at least two weeks. Your playful sister has been talking about it forever. Want to join us?" I stared at the message, finding it almost laughable. They were probably already at the beach, and now they were asking me if I wanted to come? I paused for a moment, then deliberately replied, "I'll come." It took a long time before I received any response. "Carol, make sure you're home in half an hour! Your dad, that scatterbrain, got the flight time wrong. We need to leave right away!" Half an hour? The villa was on the east side of the city, while Shaw City High was on the west side. Even by taxi, it would take nearly an hour. My mom was clever-she'd found a way to dodge my reply. 1/3 Chygter 6 "I won't make it in time. You guys go ahead," I replied. I was smiling, and I had no idea why. That summer break, I didn't let my studies slide. To prepare for the college entrance exams, I got a private tutor to help me stay ahead. The entire summer was spent buried in books. Whenever I got tired, I'd take a break to scroll through my phone to check social media. Every now and then, posts from my family would pop up. For example, my mom loved posting photo collages. +25 Bonus In a typical nine-picture grid, there'd be one photo of her and my dad, one of Shane's back, and the other seven? All of Leila. Leila surfing, Leila in a helicopter, Leila on a jet ski, Leila lounging on a yacht... Her summer break looked so trendy and glamorous-nothing like me, a plain bookworm in a school uniform, radiating only awkwardness. Of course, I didn't envy her. I wouldn't repeat the mistake I made in my previous life, where I was deliberately left at home and nervously called to ask if they had forgotten me. Now, I'd simply like their posts. Whoever shared on social media, I'd give them a like. I wished them happiness and good health. When the new semester started, I continued my studies with a steady focus. My grades, once average, steadily climbed until I made it into the top ten of the year. In middle school, good grades always drew a little extra attention. To my surprise, I received a love letter. The boy praised my academic performance, called me pretty, and said my skin was fair. I froze for a long moment, completely baffled. Was this really meant for me? I was pretty? Fair-skinned? 2/3 I turned to my deskmate and asked, "Do you think I'm fair?" She rolled her eyes so hard it looked like they might fall out. "Are you showing off or what? Yeah, you're pale, we all know!" Huh? I borrowed her compact mirror, and for the first time in ages, I took a good look at myself. It turned out... I really was quite fair. I was no longer dark and skinny, no longer looking like I was malnourished. My features seemed to have matured, gaining a touch of elegance. Hmm, I guess I looked... a little better now. Could it be that learning to love myself had somehow changed my appearance too? For some reason, my eyes turned misty. My deskmate stared at me in shock. "Oh my god, are you actually crying because you think you look good?" Day by day, my grades improved. Day by day, my appearance changed too. But I didn't pay much attention to it. As I grew older, my longing for independence only grew stronger.